Redding's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Redding, California, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Trimming

Trimming a tree on private property in Redding generally does not require a City permit so long as the work does not effectively kill the tree or breach the City's tree-management rules (RMC Chapter 18.45). Street trees in the public right-of-way are governed by RMC Title 13, Chapter 13.40 (Trees and Shrubs), administered by Public Works. Redding Electric Utility (REU) prunes for line clearance per Public Utilities Commission and CPUC General Order 95 standards. California common-law self-help allows trimming a neighbor's overhanging branches up to the property line.

Key details: Private Trees: RMC Ch. 18.45 (Tree Management). Street Trees: RMC Title 13, Ch. 13.40. Utility Clearance: REU per CPUC GO 95. Routine Pruning: No permit if tree not killed. Treble Damages: CCP §733 / Civil Code §3346.

Trimming a tree in a manner that effectively kills it without a Chapter 18.45 permit can be cited as a tree-removal violation by Code Enforcement, with administrative penalties and required mitigation planting. Damaging or killing a neighbor's tree through over-aggressive self-help trimming exposes the trimmer to civil liability and potential treble damages under California Civil Code §3346 and Code of Civil Procedure §733. Unauthorized work on a street tree in the right-of-way violates RMC Chapter 13.40 with administrative fines and restitution.

Grass Height Limits

Redding regulates overgrown grass and weeds primarily as a fire-hazard and public-nuisance issue rather than under a fixed-inch lawn-height standard. The City Code Enforcement program (Development Services) and the Redding Fire Department address tall grass and weeds on improved and vacant parcels, layered on top of California Public Resources Code §4291's 100-foot defensible-space mandate that applies to properties in or adjacent to State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Area fire-hazard zones around Redding.

Key details: Code Portal: codepublishing.com/CA/Redding. Defensible Space Std.: PRC §4291 (100 ft). Annual Grass (Cal Fire): Mow to ~4 in. max. Enforcement: Code Enforcement + Fire Dept.. Cost Recovery: Gov't Code §38773.5 lien.

Failure to abate after notice triggers City-performed abatement plus all associated costs, recovered as a special assessment or lien against the parcel under California Government Code §38773.5 and §38773.7. Code Enforcement violations are typically issued as administrative citations with escalating fines (commonly $100/$200/$500 per occurrence under standard California municipal practice). Properties failing PRC §4291 defensible-space requirements may also be cited by Cal Fire with separate state-level penalties.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Tree removal in the City of Redding is regulated by Chapter 18.45 (Tree Management) of the Redding Municipal Code, originally adopted in 1990 and updated in 2006, with a 2023 Tree Management Ordinance Update Committee process. No tree exceeding 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) on any developed or undeveloped/vacant parcel within the city may be destroyed, killed, or removed without a tree-removal permit, subject to limited exemptions (RMC §18.45.040) and discretionary-permit provisions (RMC §18.45.070).

Key details: Permit Authority: RMC Ch. 18.45 (Tree Management). Threshold: >6 inches DBH (all species). Exemptions: RMC §18.45.040. Discretionary Path: RMC §18.45.070. Issuing Office: Development Services - Planning.

Removal of a tree over 6 inches DBH without a Chapter 18.45 permit is an enforceable City Code violation, typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor or administrative citation with mitigation planting at an enhanced ratio plus restitution. For development projects, unpermitted removal can trigger stop-work orders and recordation requirements against the parcel. Damage to a public street tree is enforced separately under RMC Title 13, Chapter 13.40 with restitution based on ISA tree appraisal. Grading-related clearing without an SWRCB Construction General Permit triggers state penalties up to $10,000 per day under Water Code §13385.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Weed Ordinances

Weed control in Redding is driven first and foremost by California fire law. Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around any structure in or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area, with annual grasses mowed to about 4 inches. Redding lies within and adjacent to mapped Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Cal Fire FHSZ maps, PRC §§4201-4204). The Shasta County Fire Safe Council and Redding Fire Department coordinate annual weed-abatement outreach and enforcement.

Key details: Defensible Space Law: PRC §4291 (100 ft, Zones 0-2). FHSZ Maps: PRC §§4201-4204 (Cal Fire). Annual Grass Std.: Mow to ~4 in. (Cal Fire). Local Partner: Shasta County Fire Safe Council. Pesticide Licensing: FAC §§11401+ (CDPR).

PRC §4291 violations are enforced by Cal Fire LE-100 with progressive penalties for failure to maintain 100 ft of defensible space; uncorrected violations can result in fines and, in severe cases, misdemeanor charges. City Code Enforcement nuisance citations carry administrative penalties (typically $100/$200/$500 escalation) plus City-performed abatement costs recovered as a lien under Government Code §38773.5. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application violates California Food and Agricultural Code §§11401+ with Department of Pesticide Regulation civil penalties.

Compared to other cities, Redding takes a harder line on weed ordinances. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Native Plants

The City of Redding does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. The City's Landscape Standards (RMC Chapter 18.47) and Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance — updated October 2024 to align with the 2025 state MWELO (23 CCR §490+) — favor low-water, climate-adapted species and limit irrigated turf on new and rehabilitated landscapes. The California Native Plant Society Shasta Chapter and the Shasta County Resource Conservation District provide free design and species guidance.

Key details: Residential Mandate: None - voluntary. Site-Plan Landscape: RMC Ch. 18.47 (Landscape Std.). WELO Update: Aligned to 2025 MWELO (Oct 2024). AB 1572 Turf Ban: Public/CII/HOA 2027-2029. Native Plant Resource: CNPS Shasta Chapter.

Redding imposes no penalties on residential homeowners for choosing non-native landscaping in unregulated yard areas. Failure to install required plantings shown on an approved Chapter 18.47 landscape plan can trigger withholding of a Certificate of Occupancy or other approval. AB 1572 (Water Code §115005-115007) violations apply only to public agencies, water systems, CII sites, and HOA common areas under the phased 2027-2029 schedule; State Water Resources Control Board enforces with administrative penalties on the responsible entity (not residents).

The rules around native plants in Redding lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Composting

Since January 2024, all City of Redding residents are required by California Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016; Public Resources Code §42652+) to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings into the City's Organics cart for collection by Recycling and Solid Waste. Backyard composting on private residential lots is permitted and encouraged. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited within Redding city limits and regulated by the Shasta County Air Quality Management District.

Key details: State Mandate: SB 1383 (PRC §42652+, 14 CCR §18981+). Effective in Redding: January 2024. Organics Cart: Food + yard waste, no plastic bags. Backyard Compost: Permitted, no permit required. Open Burning: Prohibited in city; AQMD outside.

SB 1383 noncompliance can trigger education, then administrative citation by the City's Recycling and Solid Waste Division. State law caps initial penalties at $50-$100 per violation through 2024 with escalation thereafter; CalRecycle audits jurisdictions and can fine the City directly for systemic noncompliance under 14 CCR §18997.2. Improper composting that creates a documented vermin or odor nuisance is enforceable as a public nuisance with City Code Enforcement citation. Unpermitted open burning violates Shasta County AQMD rules and California Health and Safety Code §41700 with civil penalties.

Water Restrictions

The Redding Water Utility currently operates at Stage 1 - Year-Round Conservation, which is voluntary, with an odd/even outdoor watering schedule and prohibitions on hosing hardscapes or irrigating within 48 hours of rainfall. Higher-stage mandatory restrictions are codified in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (RMC Chapter 14.09) referenced through RMC Chapter 14.08 (Water). California Water Code §365 et seq. and statewide State Water Resources Control Board emergency drought regulations layer additional restrictions during declared drought.

Key details: Current Stage: Stage 1 - Voluntary (Year-Round). Code Authority: RMC Ch. 14.08 + Ch. 14.09 (WSCP). Odd Addresses: Water Wed/Fri/Sun. Even Addresses: Water Tue/Thu/Sat. Watering Hours: Midnight-7am + 9pm-midnight.

Stage 1 measures are voluntary and primarily enforced through outreach. Once the City declares Stage 2 or higher under RMC Chapter 14.09, violations are enforceable through the Water Utility with administrative citations and, for repeated violations, flow restrictors or service termination per the Water Shortage Contingency Plan tariff. State Water Resources Control Board emergency drought regulations (23 CCR §§863-866) impose civil penalties up to $500 per day per violation directly on water users statewide during declared drought emergencies.

The Bottom Line

Redding is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redding, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Redding's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.